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Cited by 37Suicide and Self-Harm StudiesPalliative Care and End-of-Life IssuesPalliative and Oncologic Care

Investigating the relationship between euthanasia and/or assisted suicide and rates of non-assisted suicide: systematic review

Open access
Doherty, Anne M., Axe, Caitlyn J., Jones, David A.·2022·BJPsych Open
DOI 10.1192/bjo.2022.71PMC PMC9230443
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Abstract

Background: Euthanasia and assisted suicide (EAS) are practices that aim to alleviate the suffering of people with life-limiting illnesses, but are controversial. One area of debate is the relationship between EAS and suicide rates in the population, where there have been claims that availability of EAS will reduce the number of self-initiated deaths (EAS and suicide combined). Others claim that legislation for EAS makes it acceptable to end one's own life, a message at variance with that of suicide prevention campaigns. Aims: To examine the relationship between the introduction of EAS and rates of non-assisted suicide and self-initiated death. Method: We conducted a systematic review to examine the association between EAS and rates of non-assisted suicide and of self-initiated death. We searched PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO and Science Direct, until 20 December 2021. Studies that examined EAS and reported data on population-based suicide rates were included. Results: Six studies met the inclusion criteria; four reported increases in overall rates of self-initiated death and, in some cases, increased non-assisted suicide. This increase in non-assisted suicide was mostly non-significant when sociodemographic factors were controlled for. Studies from Switzerland and Oregon reported elevated rates of self-initiated death among older women, consistent with higher rates of depressive illnesses in this population. Conclusions: The findings of this review do not support the hypothesis that introducing EAS reduces rates of non-assisted suicide. The disproportionate impact on older women indicates unmet suicide prevention needs in this population.

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  • The evidence from reviews does not support the hypothesis that introducing MAiD reduces rates of (non-assisted) suicide.

    “In reality, the evidence from reviews does not support the hypothesis that introducing MAiD reduces rates of (non-assisted) suicide (Doherty et al. 2022; Jones 2022).”

    From The realities of Medical Assistance in Dying in Canada (2023) · cites this paper as Doherty et al. 2022

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References 38 · Cited by 37

Research works printed but not linked: 28

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Authors
Doherty, A. M., Axe, C. J., & Jones, D. A.
Affiliations
  • University College Dublin (IE)
  • University of Washington (US)
  • St Mary's University Twickenham London (GB)
Corresponding author
Doherty, Anne M.
ORCID
Venue
BJPsych Open
Publisher
Royal College of Psychiatrists
Published
2022-06-03
Volume
8
Issue
4
Pages
e108-e108
ISSN
2056-4724 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1192/bjo.2022.71
PMC
PMC9230443
OpenAlex
W4281824245
Cited by
37
References
38
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 8
FWCI
1.21
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • BJPsych Open (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • St Mary's University Repository (ULCC) (acceptedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Palliative and Oncologic Care
Keywords
euthanasia, assisted suicide, suicide rates, suicide prevention, older women, depression, life-limiting illness, end-of-life decisions

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